Women's Volleyball

Cooper Selected as Rhode Island NCAA Woman of the Year

Sep 15, 2003

Sept. 15, 2003

PROVIDENCE, RI - The NCAA has released the NCAA Woman of the Year award winners representing the states and the District of Columbia and Jessie Cooper '03 (Tustin, CA) has been chosen as the Rhode Island recipient. This prestigious award honors outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics, and community leadership, and who have completed their collegiate athletics eligibility.

A four-year standout on the volleyball team at Brown, Cooper graduated in May with a degree in Public and Private Sector Organizations, while finishing with a 3.5 GPA. A 2001 Verizon Academic All-District selection, Cooper was also a three-time selection to the Academic All-Ivy team.

While playing for the Bears, Cooper helped to lead Brown to an Ivy League Championship in 2001, earning Second Team All-Ivy recognition in 2001 and First Team All-Ivy honors last season. Cooper also earned the Bessie H. Rudd award at Brown's All- Sports Banquet, given to the female varsity athlete who has done the most to promote women's sports.

Cooper was also a leader off the court, serving on several committees. She was on the Special Events Committee (2001-2003), the Student Athlete Advisory Board (2000-2003), serving as president as a senior, and the Ivy League Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (2000-2003). Cooper was also a student advisor for the Meiklejohn Peer Academic Advising Program (2000-2003). In addition, she was a Joslin Award winner, given to 10 Brown seniors who have made significant contributions to the quality of student life through leadership and service in the Brown community.

About 340 student-athletes were nominated for this year's award by their colleges and universities. A committee comprised of representatives from member schools selected the state winners. Ten finalists for the National award will be announced in late September, and the winner will be announced at the 2003 NCAA Woman of the Year dinner Saturday, November 1, at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown. This is the 13th year that this award - one of the top honors the NCAA bestows, will be given.